Historic First Batch of 21st Century Classrooms Finds Home in Lipa City

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) joined other government agencies in unveiling the first batch of the 21^st Century Learning Environment Model (CLEM) Classrooms at Inosloban-Maraoay National High School (INHS) in Lipa City last August 13, 2018.

Present during the event are DOST-SEI Deputy Director Albert Mariño, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, Department of Information and Communications Technology Acting Secretary Usec. Eliseo Rio, Chairman of the National Electrification Administration Board of Administrators Armando Cusi, Senator Ralph Recto, and Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto.

INHS is one of the five public schools in Lipa City now equipped with a 21^st CLEM, a classroom setup strategically equipped with facilities designed for mobility and connectivity.

DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo lauded the efforts of the collaborating institutions that made the 21^st CLEM classrooms a reality in the country.

“This is the kind of history we’d like to keep repeating. We have various agencies from the DOST – the DOST-CALABARZON, DOST-PCIEERD, and DOST-SEI; the DepEd; and the Provincial Government of Batangas all working together to create a modern learning environment for Filipino students,” she said.

The modern classrooms promote collaborative teaching and learning to support student-centered learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) – the track DOST-SEI promotes to fulfill its mandate of producing a critical mass of scientists and engineers.

Local government units and organizations interested in providing 21^st Century interior designs for group, team, and individual learning may email arisedost@gmail.com. 

The Music Museum Celebrates Simple but Meaningful 30th Year Milestone

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The Music Museum, the unique theater concept that chanteuse Kuh Ledesma introduced to the entertainment scene on August 8, 1988, celebrated its 30th anniversary on Tuesday, August 8, literally on the Music Museum stage.

Staff led by Music Museum Group president Precy M. Florentino celebrated the milestone with Mass and a company lunch with employees, some of whom have been with the company since its very early days. Celebrities like Mitch Valdes, Nanette Inventor, Carlo Orosa, Zsazsa Padilla, Ryan Cayabyab, John Nite and Kuh Ledesma sent in video messages.

The original purpose of the longtime concert place in Greenhills San Juan was to provide performing artists with a readily accessible venue that would showcase their talents, unhampered by stiff requirements dictated by hotels, the performance venues at the time. Performers of various genre welcomed its arrival in 1988, warmly and enthusiastically. Through the years a wealth of Filipino talent in music and the performing arts performed on the Music Museum stage.

Lani Misalucha, Side A, Jose Mari Chan, Sarah Geronimo, Agot Isidro, Keno, the Neocolors, Julie Ann San Jose, Glaiza De Castro, Loisa Andalio, Maja Salvador, Baihana, KZ Tandingan, Mateo Guidicelli and Michael Pangilinan, Enchong Dee all had their debut concerts and first big concerts at the Music Museum.

The Music Museum experience was and still is unique because it is like being in a cozy home where artists entertain guests in a big living room. It’s the only theater in town where guests can order food and drinks during a performance so they can dine, drink and feel right at home while being entertained. In 1989 Kuh sold the Music Museum to her friend Precy Florentino.

Music Museum celebrations of its milestones were often marked by concerts that would last till dawn. When it turned 10 in 1998, a 10-band concert rocked the Greenhills Car Park, while artists like the APO, Nanette Inventor, Kuh Ledesma, Ogie Alcasid, Geneva Cruz, Randy Santiago, Lani Misalucha, Nina, Dessa and Leah Navarro performed on the Music Museum stage.

When it turned 20 in 2008, the Music Museum looked forward by recognizing young talents -- Charice Pempengco (now Jake Zyrus), then 16, and Charlie Green, the Britain’s Got Talent winner, then 11 – as future stars. It partnered with The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab to discover musically talented kids via musical tilts Musmusikwela and MusiKabataan that awarded them musical scholarships.

The 20th year was marked by a grand concert at the Araneta Coliseum called Divas 4 Divas, featuring four of the country’s best female singers -- Kuh Ledesma, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez.

When it turned 25, the Music Museum celebrated with an all-music-genres private concert, supported various artistic endeavors and launched its commemorative coffee table book.

On its 30th year, Precy Florentino said the prevailing spirit is gratitude. “The Music Museum looks back at the past 30 years with a celebratory attitude, Thank you to the fans and concert goers who have inspired us through the years and continue to inspire us to come out with the very best entertainment. To the artists who performed at one time or another at the Music Museum, you are its life and soul. You fill us with so much gratitude,” said Ms. Florentino.

The Music Museum is now a dining, shopping and entertainment complex called the Music Museum Group and includes Shoppesville Plus (a hobbyist’s and aficionado’s haven),Theater Mall (a hive of cinemas, shops, dining and coffee places), The Promenade (a level-up shopping place with lifestyle services, more dining places, and the most modern cinemas) and Teatrino (a favorite events place for launches, parties, and cozy performances).

DOTr - LTO Press Statement on News Reports Quoting Some Government Officials Who are Suggesting that the DOTr and LTO Should no Longer Be Reviving the Contract on Motor Vehicle Plates

Wazzup Pilipinas!

DOTr-LTO PRESS STATEMENT

11 September 2018

This is in response to news reports quoting some government officials who are suggesting that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) should no longer be reviving the contract on motor vehicle plates.

We would like to clarify that there is no legal basis to cancel the contract. In January 2018, the Supreme Court lifted its Temporary Restraining Order and dismissed the petition questioning the constitutionality of the procurement, while the Commission on Audit lifted its Notice of Disallowance on the advance payment for the deal last July, effectively clearing the contract of irregularities. The DOTr-LTO is duty-bound to honor the contract regardless of which administration started it.

The insinuation that reviving the deal “reeks of unpardonable graft” is prejudiced and unfair.  Questions about the deal should be taken up with the Supreme Court and the COA. 

The only concern of the DOTr-LTO now is to distribute the plates to the millions of Filipino motorists, following the aforesaid decisions of the SC and the COA. This is not a case of accommodation or corruption, just public service.